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First and only time in North America to see China’s National Treasures

Posted on: 10/05/2007

First and only time in North America to see China’s National Treasures in the new Treasures from China exhibition

Gatineau, Quebec, May 10, 2007  Some of the finest historic artifacts from the National Museum of China are making a premiere appearance at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in its must-see summer exhibition, Treasures from China.

Featuring 120 prized artifacts, the exhibition illuminates the rich history and remarkable achievements of the Chinese people from ancient times to the modern era.

“This is a rare and wonderful opportunity for a North American audience to explore several periods in Chinese history and to better understand China’s extraordinary contribution to the world’s cultural heritage,” said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “Most of the pieces are so rare and so significant that this is the first time many of them are being shown outside of China.”

On display are jade carvings and lacquerware; paintings and calligraphy; silk textiles; ceramics; and items fashioned from bronze, gold, and silver. Twenty-three of the artifacts are described by the Chinese museum as “premier masterpieces” because of their exceptional historical, cultural or artistic significance.

The artifacts illustrate the numerous connections between China and other parts of the world, the people and levels of society, and the religious beliefs of Chinese people at different periods in history.

“One of the artifacts, a jade Cong (33002200 BC), was used in rituals of worship,” said Dr. Ban Seng Hoe, Curator of Asian Studies at the Museum of Civilization. “It was most likely owned by a noble, as most congs have been discovered in large, elaborate tombs.”

The exhibition was developed following an exchange agreement signed two years ago by the National Museum of China and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. In return, the Museum of Civilization is creating an exhibition for the National Museum of China showcasing treasures of Canada’s First Peoples. That exhibition will be presented at the Imperial City Museum in Beijing in 2008.

Treasures from China will be presented from May 11 to October 28, 2007 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec.